Chapter 20 TWENTY
I bolted upright, my heart racing as my chest ached, my breath sharp and afraid. I looked around in a panic, the circular room barren of anything other than the straw I sat upon; a metal door the only way in or out. I stumbled to my feet, rushing towards the only window I could see, bars preventing me from being able to get out that way, a strange aura surrounding the tower, the city bellow seeming so far away.
I knew what the aura was as it brushed against my hand, it was binding my powers, making it so I couldn’t use them; the mind link I had with the prince unable to connect here. I didn’t know where he was, or what he was thinking, I didn’t even know if I would still be alive by the end of the day; the world around my spinning as I collapsed onto the floor, unable to hold my own weight.
I crawled back towards the pile of straw, my mind as tired as my body; I moved to lay down, shivering as I only wore a long-sleeved blue gown, the fabric barley keeping out the cold. I curled up into a ball on my side, closing my eyes I listened to the nearby sound of guards chatting, though I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying; nor could I grasp what I was thinking, my mind confused and alone. Something that never used to feel strange to me, not until now.
Footsteps approached the door as I remained unmoving, too afraid to get up, who would it be? What would the consequences be for what I had done?
I curled into a tighter ball when the door opened, would it be the prince coming back to finish the job?
My breath caught in my throat, unable to open my eyes as I waited, listening for anything that would give me an inkling of who it was and what they wanted. I heard a key connect with the lock of the door, someone was in here with me, someone was ensuring that I couldn’t escape; that I was trapped.
I wanted to open my eyes, to see who it was, but my fear prevented it; stopped my curiosity dead in its tracks. Maybe if I just laid here, pretended I was asleep, whoever it was would leave; believing that I was still unconscious. At least that was the hope.
Someone moved closer, stopping only a few inches away from me. “I know you are awake.” Came a stern voice, the voice of the prince; a very angry prince.
I panted slightly, knowing that I now had no choice, I would have to face him, open my eyes to see my death as it came.
I did so slowly, moving into a seated position as I continued to shiver, my skin cool to touch. I kept my eyes lowered and my tongue still, not knowing what I could say to help myself, to make the situation less explosive. What would he do to me? Did he no longer care that I had a power he could use? I set myself into a further panic, my heartbeat erratic and painful as I wrapped my arms around my legs placing my head onto my knees. Waiting for the final blow to come.
He growled in anger, taking my silence as ignorance. “I would not recommend ignoring me at this moment in time, witch.”
I lifted my head slowly, ensuring my voice was soft and low. “I wasn’t, I just... I didn’t know what to say.”
“And you think that is a good enough excuse? Do you not feel the need to bow to your master any longer?” Silas questioned me harshly, growling once more.
I moved onto my knees as quickly as I could, attempting to bow, though the prince wasn’t pleased by this; effortlessly flinging me into the stone wall.
I crashed into the straw after bouncing off the stone, my back arching in pure agony as tears slipped from my eyes; why didn’t he just finish it?!
Get it over with instead of prolonging my pain. I laid flat on my stomach, unsure what I should do to aid myself... What could I do? If he had made up his mind that I would be killed, then I couldn’t change it; but then, why was I still breathing if that was his intention?
“I suppose you are wondering how you are still breathing? No one has EVER knocked me off my feet.” Silas growled through clenched teeth. “The reason you are alive is simple, I need your powers if I am going to win this coming war.”
The coming war? Why would the prince of all vampires be preparing for war? Surely his city would be protected and the king mobilise troops, unless HE was initiating the battle. I watched him with wide eyes, knowing now why he needed me, why I was so important.
Silas continued, pacing the room. “There will be a Lands-meeting in one month from tomorrow, I need your shapeshifting and our mind link for then. I need to know who I can trust as no doubt the Phantomhives are planning something to initiate a war.”
“Surely you have more powerful witches under your command, why can’t they do it? Why does it have to me?” I frowned, believing that there had to be someone more capable than myself; that I wasn’t good enough or strong enough for such a task.
“I will have to test the theory, but I believe you will be able to read the mind of other vampires not just me. If that is the case, you are the most valuable witch I have ever met, the only one I know of that can do such a thing.” He explained, suddenly stopping to turn around and face me; his fiery eyes locked onto mine. “I need you to shapeshift into a bat, so you can sit beside me in the meetings and I need you to be able to hold it for five hours.”
I stared back at him, too nervous to avert my glance. “What if I can’t do either? What if you are wrong about me being able to read the minds of the vampires?”
“Then you are of no use to me.” He said bluntly, taking a threatening step towards me as he continued. “And you will be disposed of for what you did to me.”
I bowed, silently showing him that I would obey, that I would try and be everything he wanted me to be, after all; what other choice did I have? If I refused, I was dead anyway.
“Good. I’m glad you agree.” He smiled as I lifted my head, his tone light and yet eerie.
I stared up at him through my eyelashes, unsure how to respond, my heart continuing to race, my fear never once allowing me a moments peace. Why was this happening to me? Why did I have this power, why couldn’t it be someone else?
“Right, I think three days is long enough to block your healing aura. I will take you back to your chamber.” He said with a laugh, ripping me from where I lay bowing and throwing me over his shoulder. “You will begin your training once you have healed and bathed.”
I gasped, three days? Is that how long I had been unconscious in the tower? I shook my head in disbelief, holding onto the prince as best as I could as he blurred to the chamber I had been given; the speed of it churning my empty stomach, making me feel sick and dizzy. I had never experienced a vampire's unnatural speed first hand before, and I never wanted to again; it was impossible to keep the prince out of my mind, to block him form my thoughts.
fuck, this was just the beginning, wasn't it?